Blizzard Warning continued until 2 a.m. Thursday...
A Major Winter Storm is impacting much of Western New York today... but, not all of Chautauqua County has been getting the very strong winds and snow. It rained for much of the morning in the Jamestown area, but Meteorologist Dan Kelly with the National Weather Services says that has been changing as we move through the afternoon. Kelly says there was some warmer air in the Jamestown-area this morning... which delayed the change-over to snow. In the North County... the storm has brought a couple of inches of snow along with some blowing snow. Kelly expects the intensity of the snow and the winds to pick up this afternoon. He says snowfall rates in some areas will be about 2-inches per hour. The National Weather Service has expanded the Blizzard Warning to include Cattaraugus County. There is also a Wind Chill Advisory for both counties from 2 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday.
County Emergency Services Dir. says don't underestimate Blizzard conditions...
With conditions expected to worsen this afternoon, local and county officials are urging people to avoid travel if possible. County Emergency Services Director Julius Leone says there's a big difference between a blizzard and a winter storm... mainly because winds become dangerous, and driving conditions can deteriorate very quickly. Leone says local and county emergency management officials have been in close contact with a number of agencies in the days leading up the winter storm including the National Weather Service, the Red Cross and the State Emergency Management Office.
County's "Community Drug Forum" goes on despite Blizzard conditions; about 200 on hand for event...
Getting drug abusers to come forward... or admit they have a problem... is still an issue for people that treat addicts. But, breaking that cycle of addiction can be very difficult. That from Associate Medical Director Dr. David Withers with the Marworth Treatment Center. Withers was one of the speakers at this morning's "Community Drug Forum" in Mayville to address the county's opiate-drug addiction problem. Inspite of the Blizzard forecast... some 200 people were on hand for the program. Withers says there a "no good drugs" yet... but, adds a couple have provided some help. He says Methodone "works" for opiates and heroin, but, he says abstenance is the better way to go. Withers says he'll ask addicts why they've wound up at the center... and, they'll say anything but "I'm an addict who needs help." Lt. David Bentley of the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Officer heads up the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force. Bentley says he'd like to see a "cohesive idea" come out of the forum on treating, and taking care of the addict. As for dealers... he says the public remains a major part of getting them off the street.
